Sale conditions, Use and Consumption of provitamin A rich-foods in Douala-Cameroon: Case of crude palm oil

In order to contribute in fighting against vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in Cameroon through carefully use of crude palm oil (CPO), three surveys were carried out in Douala town and some of its surrounding rural areas. The first consisted of information collection from 55 sellers on the CPO's sales conditions (containers, exhibition conditions and liquefaction method). The second and the last was to collect information respectively on the use and the consumption of dishes prepared with unbleached CPO respectively from 199 housewives and 309 individuals. The results reveal that 87% of sellers exposed CPO in the open air during commercialization although 44% of them knew that sunlight could have a negative impact on its quality. Heating and/or sun exposure were the technics used to liquefy oil. On the 98% of households that prepared with CPO, 93% of them often bleached it, although 64% were aware of the detrimental effect of this process. The social status of housewives significantly influenced this result. Unbleached CPO was used to prepare many dishes which were frequently consumed by 87% of people with a significant influence of lifestyle and region of origin. The results of this study showed that CPO could be used for fight against VAD in Cameroon if it is carefully commercialized and used in households and if people frequently consume dishes prepared with unbleached CPO. Practical application The knowledge of information on selling conditions, use and consumption of CPO will contribute to fight against VAD. In fact, it will guide policies for the development of strategies to improve in its commercialization conditions; to propagate the CPO and its consumption throughout the country and to improve nutritional education

Predictors of childhood severe malaria in a densely populated area: Douala, Cameroon

The physiopathology of malaria is complex. More understanding would be useful for a better management of the disease. This study was undertaken to describe clinical presentation and some biochemical parameters in childhood malaria in order to identify some factors of disease severity. Eighty six (86) children (0 to 15 years old) were recruited in Douala, clinical data recorded and blood sample collected. Thirty one (31) healthy children were also targeted to serve as control. Blood glucose, hemoglobin, transaminases and nitric oxide were determined by spectrophotometry. C reactive protein (CRP) was also investigated. The results confirmed that severe malaria significantly affects children under 5 years. Severe malaria was associated with hyperpyrexia and prostration. Coma, convulsions and unconsciousness were more indicative of cerebral malaria. Hemoglobin and blood glucose levels decreased significantly in severe malaria patients compared with uncomplicated malaria patients or controls (P < 0.001). On the contrary, blood transaminases and CRP levels increased significantly in malaria patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). From these results, it is clear that childhood severe malaria is associated with prostration, coma, unconsciousness, convulsions and hyperpyrexia. Low levels of haemoglobin and glycemia, as well as high levels of transaminases and CRP has been identified as predictor of malaria severity.Keywords: Childhood malaria, clinical presentation, physiopatholog

Prévalence des germes impliqués dans les infections vaginales chez les femmes camerounaises et facteurs de risque

Les infections du tractus génital femelle représentent un problème de santé publique. Au Cameroun, les données concernant leur épidémiologie sont de plus en plus disponibles mais néanmoins restent obsolètes particulièrement dans la ville de Douala. Une étude transversale a été conduite dans trois hôpitaux de la ville de Douala dans le but de déterminer la prévalence des infections génitales et les facteurs de risque associés. Ainsi, 300 femmes ont été incluses dans l’étude. Une fiche d’enquête a été utilisée pour collecter les informations des participantes. Des prélèvements vaginaux ont été collectés, caractérisés et mis en culture. Les anticorps anti- VIH ont été recherchés dans le sérum des patientes. La prévalence des infections génitales et de l’infection à VIH était 28% et 25,7% respectivement. Les germes rencontrés étaient les bactéries Gram+ (17,7%), Candida spp. (11,0%), coccobacilles (0,7%) et les bactéries Gram- (0,7%). L’infection à VIH, le statut matrimonial, la contraception orale et l’utilisation de produit lors de la toilette vaginale étaient des facteurs de risque. Le risque élevé de vaginoses trouvé dans cette étude souligne le besoin de l’implémentation de programmes communautaires de détection précoce des infections génitales et d’information-éducation communication.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Mots clés: Femme, infection du tractus génital, prévalence, facteurs de risque, DoualaEnglish Title: Prevalence of germs associated with vaginal infections in Cameroonian women and risk factorsEnglish AbstractFemale genital tract infections constitute a public health concern. In Cameroon, epidemiological data about are increasingly available. However, there is still a paucity of data in the town of Douala. A hospital  based cross-sectional study was carried out in the town of Douala with the aim to determine the prevalence of vaginal infections and identify the risk factors. In total, 300 women were included in the study. Baseline data were documented via investigation form. Vaginal swabs were collected, processed and used for isolation of germs. Screening of HIV infection was also performed. The prevalence of vaginal infection and HIV infection was 28% and 25.7% respectively. Gram (+) bacteria (17.7%), Candida spp. (11.0%), coccobacilli (0.7%) and Gram (-) bacteria (0.7%) were founded associated with vaginal infection cases. Four risk factors were underscored in this study: HIV infection, marital status, oral contraceptive and the absence of utilization of sanitary product for vaginal douching. This study revealed high risk of vaginal infection in Cameroonian women living in Douala. This outlines the need for the implementation of community-based intervention based on early detection of genital infection and their sensitization.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Women, Genital tract infection, prevalence, risk factors, Doual

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of the Methanolic Extract of the Stem Bark of Pteleopsis hylodendron (Combretaceae)

Pteleopsis hylodendron (Combretaceae) is used in Cameroon and West Africa folk medicine for the treatment of various microbial infections (measles, chickenpox, and sexually transmitted diseases). The antibacterial properties of the methanolic extract and fractions from stem bark of Pteleopsis hylodendron were tested against three Gram-positive bacteria and eight Gram-negative bacteria using Agar-well diffusion and Broth microdilution methods. Antioxidant activities of the crude extract and fractions were investigated by DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene-linoleic acid assays. The methanolic extract and some fractions exhibited antibacterial activities that varied between the bacterial species (ID = 0.00–25.00 mm; MIC = 781–12500 μg/mL and 0.24–1000 μg/mL). The activity of the crude extract is, however, very weak compared to the reference antibiotics (MIC = 0.125–128 μg/mL). Two fractions (FE and FF) showed significant activity (MIC = 0.97 μg/mL) while S. aureus ATCC 25922 was almost resistant to all the tested fractions. In addition, the crude extract and some fractions showed good antioxidant potential with inhibition values ranging from 17.53 to 98.79%. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of this plant as well as some of the fractions in the treatment of infectious diseases and oxidative stress

Antagonistic fluorescent Pseudomonads: rhizobacteria with suppressive and plant growth promoting properties against Phytophthora colocasiae, the causal agent of taro leaf blight

Taro leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae affects plant health and is a major threat to taro culture in Cameroon. Chemical fertilizers used often harm the ecosystem. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are better alternatives that increase plant growth promotion and suppress phytopathogens. In the present study, a total of 67 fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. was characterized by 17.91, 5.97, and 4.47% populations of P. fluorescens, P. chlororaphis, and P. putida, respectively, among the most represented. More than 36% of bacteria showed antagonistic potential through the production of both diffusible and volatile compounds. Some of them (03) exhibited antagonistic activity in dual culture against P. colocasiae with a diameter greater than 13 mm. These rhizobacteria produced a significant amount of siderophore, IAA, SA, HCN, protease, lipases, and cellulases. For the pot experiment, treatment by Pseudomonas significantly increased the enzymatic activity involved in the resistance of taro, such as peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). The two antagonists also increased plant growth parameters of taro such as chlorophyll, plant height, shoot length, total leaf surface, fresh root biomass, and fresh leaf biomass. These findings showed that fluorescent Pseudomonas have an intriguing and undeniable potential in the fight against P. colocasiae, which could lead to the development of a biopesticide in the future

An overview of natural products that modulate the expression of non-coding RNAs involved in oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disorders

Oxidative stress is a state in which oxidants are produced in excess in the body’s tissues and cells, resulting in a biological imbalance amid the generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from redox reactions. In case of insufficient antioxidants to balance, the immune system triggers signaling cascades to mount inflammatory responses. Oxidative stress can have deleterious effects on major macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, hence, Oxidative stress and inflammation are among the multiple factors contributing to the etiology of several disorders such as diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) which were once referred to as dark matter have been found to function as key regulators of gene expression through different mechanisms. They have dynamic roles in the onset and development of inflammatory and oxidative stress-related diseases, therefore, are potential targets for the control of those diseases. One way of controlling those diseases is through the use of natural products, a rich source of antioxidants that have drawn attention with several studies showing their involvement in combating chronic diseases given their enormous gains, low side effects, and toxicity. In this review, we highlighted the natural products that have been reported to target ncRNAs as mediators of their biological effects on oxidative stress and several inflammation-associated disorders. Those natural products include Baicalein, Tanshinone IIA, Geniposide, Carvacrol/Thymol, Triptolide, Oleacein, Curcumin, Resveratrol, Solarmargine, Allicin, aqueous extract or pulp of Açai, Quercetin, and Genistein. We also draw attention to some other compounds including Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Canna genus rhizome, Fuzi-ganjiang herb pair, Aronia melanocarpa, Peppermint, and Gingerol that are effective against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders, however, have no known effect on ncRNAs. Lastly, we touched on the many ncRNAs that were found to play a role in oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders but have not yet been investigated as targets of a natural product. Shedding more light into these two last points of shadow will be of great interest in the valorization of natural compounds in the control and therapy of oxidative stress- and inflammation-associated disorders